All Hail Hyena! support Tim’s recovery

The nucleus of modern experimental music is undoubtedly Cardiacs - and from those roots a devoted fanbase, hoping to give back to frontman Tim Smith, has sprung.

Following both a stroke and heart attack after a My Bloody Valentine concert, Tim, unable to write and record music, has required full-time care.

And so, Burnley punk band All Hail Hyena! is showing its love by playing mini festival “The Whole World Window”, a benefit gig set up by Preston-based promoter Greg Braysford, also known as DJ BIK - news of Tim’s ill health struck a chord with him, his father also having had a stroke.

All proceeds will be used to support the singer’s recovery.

What’s more, AHH! vocalist Jay Stansfield has found a novel way to promote the gig: by creating a free online game (for computers only) with a Tim Smith theme and a similar set-up to Pac-Man.

Greg said: “Cardiacs are like marmite: people tend to say their sound is either ‘rubbish’ or ‘insanely brilliant’. Their music is crazy and experimental, moving from one genre to another, each song incorporating different styles and ideas. It has a touch of genius.”

“Cardiacs fans have an in-joke. There’s a bit of a competition to introduce people to the music and make as many new fans as you can in a year. It’s a badge of honour”.

For Greg, inviting AHH! was a no-brainer: “I saw them in the competition ‘Last Band Standing’ and throughout they stood out.

“The band has a similar ethos and mindset to Cardiacs: they love to play live; they have eye-catching visuals and a do-it-yourself ethic. They were the first band I asked to play”.

The guys are certainly feeling the love: “We feel jubilant and humbled by our invite. Cardiacs and Tim Smith are inspiration on our home ground. They have gone against the tide with their music, just like we aim to do. It’s nice to know you’re not alone in a music world over-saturated with mainstream stuff at present”.

“Musically, Cardiacs are vivaciously crazy. Their music is organised chaos at the best of times. Check out ‘Jibber and Twitch rehearsal’ on YouTube to understand that sentiment.

“They throw caution to the wind, experiment and push their own boundaries, which is just what is needed to bring people together with new ideologies and philosophies about music and FUN!”

A goody bag with an exclusive album incorporating rare material by each performing band, as well as specially written tracks by musicians unable to make the show, is up for grabs for the 50 first ticket-holders.